56 schools in North face imminent closure due to lack of students

 

At least 56 schools in the thirteen Educational Zones face imminent closure in the near future due to a lack of students, with less than 50 students currently in those schools, according to Zonal Educational offices in the North. 

According to the Northern Provincial Educational Office, 266 schools were identified as having poor student registration of less than 50 students. 

As per the directives issued by the Central government in Colombo to close such schools with fewer students in the event of other schools located within a radius of three kilometres, 56 schools are facing imminent closure in the near future. 

In North alone, 981 schools are functioning under the purview of thirteen Zonal Educational offices, where 229,000 students are currently enrolled. 

Among them, 454 schools have fewer than 100 students, while 266 schools record fewer than 50 students, according to the study carried out by the Provincial Educational Office. 

Considering the guidelines issued by the Central government and allocation of resources, 56 were identified as facing imminent closure out of 266 schools in the province. 

Among the schools that are facing imminent closure, the highest number is recorded in Jaffna (95), followed by Kilinochchi (20), Mannar (41), Vavuniya (71) and Mullaithivu (37). (Northeastern Monitor/ April 29/2025)